The beginning of my Life in London

Well, it has been 2 months since I have moved to London. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I am now understanding what people mean when they say time flies when you are having fun. I have been here for 2 months, and it feels more like 2 weeks! But, I guess you can't help but feel that way when every day, every second you are experiencing something brand new! In these 2 months, I have done so many wondering, exciting things, it is hard to believe that I have done them all! The reason I came to London is for school, I am doing my Master's degree in the International Master's in Economy, State and Society program at University College London. If you don't already know, I will be here in London for a year and then next year I move to Helsinki, Finland, which Im sure will be another amazing adventure. Basically, for such a long name Im studying international politics, which focuses on central and eastern Europe, or in my case Finland. I am learning Finnish, which is not an easy task at all. In fact, Finnish is listed as one of the hardest languages in the world to learn. But, I think when you are actually learning it, it is so different that it becomes fun like a puzzle, I really enjoy it.

Anyway, life in London is pretty different than life in the states. I think the biggest adjustment has been life without a car. Before, I could just hop into my car and go anywhere and not worry about when I had to come back. Now, I rely on buses, trains, and an underground system which essentially shuts down at midnight! Bah, so now if I want to go out with my friends, I have to scramble to get to the train station by 12:56, or face a dreaded £40 taxi ride... no thanks! Thought don't let me fool you too much, I really enjoy my commute to London. It gives me time to relax and focus on everything that I am experience in London, it is somewhat like therapy. Another difference has been the slight cultural contrasts. For instance, during orientation week I was speaking to one of my professors and he looked at me with a look of stark confusion when I was talking about gas and parking garages, only to correct me and say petrol and multi-story car park. Also, go to any store here in London and try to hand them an American style swipe only credit card and they look at you as if you have just handed them bags of salt as payment. Honestly, they act as if I am handing them a prehistoric, ancient artifact that modern technology simply can't cope with. Honestly people, it is a credit card! Haven't you heard of the slogan: "Visa, its everywhere you want to be." Well I want to be here in London, and I want them to take my damn card! Its more annoying than you may think though. Try going to a grocery store, having picked out everything I need for an entire week, and walking up to the cash register to have the cashier freak out and yell at me for trying to use this type of credit card, it was not only embarrassing, but it was just plain wrong. London only switched to the chip and pin system 2 years ago, so these people used to own and use the same cards I am trying to use today! BAH! Also, is it just me, or are British landlords inept??? I have been living in my apartment for 2 months now, which was messy and unkempt when I moved into it. I complained and have had no results so far! I call just about every week and nothing has been done to satisfy any of my needs, oh boy!! They should try this in the States, I would have already taken them to court there. And don't get me started on train etiquette! I have to take the train, an overground train, from Hither Green to London every morning for school, a journey which takes about 15 minutes. I have been pushed, squished, poked prodded, and all around suffocated on these trains because people pack in them in a rush not to have to wait 2 minutes for the next one. People are crazy about the trains here, they will push and shove their way into the most crowded car just so they can get to work 2 minutes early. And in fact, they aren't really saving anytime because they are still going to have to wait for the tube once they get to the train station. Another thing that gets me, why does everything shut down so early?!? I have never seen a city that basically dies off at 5pm. When the clock strikes 5, everyone stops what they're doing and makes a mad dash to the train station, to squish onto yet another train that will get you home only 2 minutes faster than the next. And pubs and bars, why do they close so early?!? 11pm and you better be done drinking your beer because they will come and take it out of your hands!

Now, It sounds like I have a lot of complaints about living here. I have a few, but it is so worth it. This culture and history of this amazing city never ceases to amaze me. No matter where I am, all I have to do is turn a corner and I see something that takes my breath away. This city is full history, culture and beautiful sights. I love it. I really am immersing into British culture. I drink my tea with milk every morning while watching the BBC. I have been wearing a poppy for the past month for Remembrance. And, I even went to the Remembrance Sunday parade in an attempt to see the Queen, though all of my efforts so far have been in vain. I went to the Christmas light turning on ceremony at both Harrods and Oxford St, where I saw both Dannii Minogue and Jim Carrey! This is an amazing country with amazing people, you just have to get through the city's and the people's hard exterior and you will value everything you are experiences, which is truly amazing!